To recognize the contributions and culture of American Indians in San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Friendship House Association of American Indians sponsored the Second Annual American Indian Cultural Event at Joe Alioto Piazza on Tuesday.

Despite the rain, crowds gathered to partake in the event, which included educational and cultural exhibits, dancers, storytelling, and an awards ceremony honoring the contributions of KQED Public Broadcasting's "Local Heroes": Fount Mashburn of the American Indian Culture & Education Program, Myra L. Smith of Friendship House and former SF State ethnic studies department chair Elizabeth "Betty" Anne Parent, Ph.D.

"It is overwhelming and unexpected," Parent said. "I am happy to have this event. Even though it's raining it's still a beautiful day."

Although she has an impressive resume including being the first Native American Editorial Board Editor of the Harvard Educational Review and earning degrees from Harvard, UCLA, and Stanford, Parent said she is most proud of building and developing the academic curriculum of the American Indian studies department at SF State. Past honorees include Cristina Azocar, SF State professor and director of the Center for the Integration and Improvement of Journalism.

"It was great seeing Betty receive recognition for her work," said Azocar, who is a member of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe of the Powhatan Nation of Virginia. "She has been a great mentor to so many people, including myself."

To start off the ceremony, former SF State professor Eddie Madril of the Yaqui tribe performed a traditional hoop dance.

"This is a way to promote, enhance and showcase Native American participation and existence here in the Bay Area," Madril said.

But Madril, who teaches Native American studies to children around the Bay Area and is also on the Friendship House Board of Directors, admits that he would like to see more acknowledgment of native people.

"If we exist throughout the year, why do you want me to be a token Indian only during Thanksgiving?" Madril said.

According to Mayor Newsom, who spoke at the event, recognition of San Francisco's Native Americans is imperative.

"We hope to continue this for many years to come," Newsom said. "It is long overdue that we do justice for our Indian American community."

As part of the event, a symposium at City Hall discussed the health, substance abuse, and housing policies that impact American Indians.

"We talked about where we've been and where we're going," Newsom said. "And the challenges in providing true cultural competency in city services."

Newsom stressed a need for an increase not only in time and energy, but also in resources to formalize "an organizational structure to serve the 12,000 or so of us made up of Native American blood."

The sentiment resonated with the crowd, as Newsom was presented with a traditional Indian blanket.

"I got the feeling it was real for him," said Parent.

"You're here because you care as deeply as I do about the city and what we represent," Newsom said. "This only happens when we celebrate, not tolerate our diversity. It is important that we educate out youth, our children, and our families about our heritage, about the collective benefit in recognizing that we're all in this together."